The Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles, at Night -Vincent Van Gogh 1888
soft voices splintered by thunderous laughter
float
in the cool September night air.
serving savoury tastes
of garlic, thyme and wine
le garcon de cafe shivers, eager to be cocooned
like a butterfly in radiating warmth from the cafe’s heart
under a paled lemon awning,
statuesque lanterns extend towering candlelit arms
to paint the terrace and its patrons below amber,
while illuminating dancing shadows on scarred tables
imperfect light from windows of darkened houses
splash the nearby cobblestone street
creating an illusion of blue black and
aubergine paves
under starry lit inky skies
evening amblers footsteps echo in quiet conversation
unaware the solitary pine tree in the Place
became a shadow.
Copyright © susan silver | Year Posted 2026
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